10 Facts About Grey matter

Grey matter is a major component of the central nervous system, consisting of neuronal cell bodies, neuropil, glial cells, synapses, and capillaries.

Grey matter is distinguished from white matter in that it contains numerous cell bodies and relatively few myelinated axons, while white matter contains relatively few cell bodies and is composed chiefly of long-range myelinated axons.

In living tissue, grey matter actually has a very light grey colour with yellowish or pinkish hues, which come from capillary blood vessels and neuronal cell bodies.

Grey matter refers to unmyelinated neurons and other cells of the central nervous system.

Grey matter is distributed at the surface of the cerebral hemispheres and of the cerebellum, as well as in the depths of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem .

Grey matter undergoes development and growth throughout childhood and adolescence.

However, the density of grey matter appears to increase as a child develops into early adulthood.

Males tend to exhibit grey matter of increased volume but lower density than that of females.

The grey matter includes regions of the brain involved in muscle control, and sensory perception such as seeing and hearing, memory, emotions, speech, decision making, and self-control.

The grey matter reductions endured for at least 2 years post-pregnancy.